Lawyer Withdraws From Mahua Moitra’s Defamation Case Amid ‘Cash-For-Query’ Controversy

Mahua Moitra’s defamation plea regarding ‘cash-for-query’ allegations against her is scheduled to be heard in the Delhi High Court on October 31. This case experienced a delay as her lawyer withdrew from the case, citing a ‘conflict of interest.’ The withdrawal occurred after advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai informed the court that Gopal Sankarnarayan, Ms. Moitra’s lawyer, contacted him to withdraw a complaint to the CBI against the Trinamool leader.

Ms. Moitra has accused Mr. Dehadrai of being a “jilted ex” seeking retribution. The ongoing dispute between them involves their pet dog, Rottweiler Henry. Over the past six months, Ms. Moitra has filed multiple police complaints against Mr. Dehadrai, alleging criminal trespass, theft, vulgar messages, and abuse.

Mr. Dehadrai had presented alleged evidence to BJP leader Nishikant Dubey of Ms. Moitra accepting cash in exchange for asking questions in Parliament.

The issue of ‘conflict of interest’ was raised in court by Supreme Court lawyer Jai Anant Dehadrai. Justice Sachin Datta expressed his dismay and questioned whether Mr. Sankaranarayanan, who attempted to mediate, was still eligible to represent the case. Mr. Sankaranarayanan chose to withdraw from the case in response.

He explained his actions by saying, “I had reached out to him (Jai Anant Dehadrai) yesterday, that is correct. I asked him if there was any way of exploring a settlement; that’s all the conversation was about. Jai said he would get back to me, but he didn’t. I am no longer concerned with this case and have withdrawn from it.”

The court has listed the matter for further hearing after the Dusshera break on October 31.

Ms. Moitra, the Lok Sabha MP representing Krishnanagar in West Bengal, has sought a permanent injunction against Mr. Dubey, Mr. Dehadrai, as well as social media platform X, search engine Google, and YouTube. She aims to restrain them from making, publishing, or circulating defamatory and false statements against her.

Industrialist Darshan Hiranandani has supported the allegations against the Trinamool MP, claiming that he bribed Mahua Moitra to ask questions in Parliament. In a three-page affidavit, he stated that she targeted the Adani Group to gain fame and alleged that Ms. Moitra shared her Parliament login credentials with him. Ms. Moitra vehemently refuted Mr. Hiranandani’s claims, accusing the Prime Minister’s Office of pressuring him to sign the document and release it to the media.